The genus Pavonia Cav. (Malvaceae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

The genus Pavonia, probably the largest within Malvaceae family, is represented by 250 species, out of which 224 are from America (absent only in Chile) and 134 from Brazil. It is placed in tribe Malvavisceae, because it has twice as many styles and stigmas as it has carpels. Pavonia is a genus represented by prostrate herbs, subshrubs, shrubs and rarely small trees. All the physiographical regions of Rio Grande do Sul were surveyed (20 expeditions and 50 days on the field) and material from 20 herbaria of Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina were revised, comprising 1.450 observed specimens. We catalogued 34 species, out of which 31 were collected and three were only observed in herbaria. A total of 221 specimens were included in ICN herbarium. Emphasis was given for the description of three new species, one new occurrence for Brazil, four new occurrences for Rio Grande do Sul and two synonymizations. This work presents a key for the native genera of subfamily Malvoideae in Rio Grande do Sul. key, descriptions and illustrations for the species of the State. and data on habitat, flowering periods and geographical distribution and a list of not confirmed species.